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Dixon will break in half

Earlier this week, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin left open the possibility of quarterback Dennis Dixon seeing spot duty even after Ben Roethlisberger returns to the starting lineup.

When asked about that chance Thursday, offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said, "Absolutely zero because he's the backup, and we only have two in there."

Arians said the Steelers don't want the fleet-footed Dixon running the ball in sub packages such as the Wildcat for the same reasons he stated during training camp: it is took risky for the 6-foot-3, 209-pounder.

"He's an extremely good talent as far as speed, and when a play breaks down and he can improvise, that's when he'll be dangerous," Arians said of Dixon. "But if you start designing runs for a quarterback, especially one of his stature, he's going to get broken in half."

Dixon scored on a 24-yard run in his first NFL start last Sunday.

The fourth-quarter play, Arians said, was designed to be a pass to Mewelde Moore. Dixon kept the ball following a fake handoff to wide receiver Mike Wallace since he had a clear path to the end zone.

Arians said there were no designed runs for Dixon in the Ravens' game because of the risk of an injury, especially with Tyler Palko as the only healthy quarterback behind Dixon.

Arians said he did not limit Dixon much against the Ravens because of the faith he has in the second-year man.

"I felt extremely confident that we were going to win that ballgame the other night with Dennis, and we should have," Arians said.

So then what Tomlin said as far as limiting Dixon's roll out opportunities, or pocket movement plays, somewhat contradicts what Arians just said. Either way, it was quite obvious they limited him in the 1st quarter because all we did was run the first 3 series, but as the game went on they gave him more passing plays and then it all went to **** in the 2nd half.

Oh well, either way, having him run some wildcat stuff is definitely a bad idea since Charlie is gone for the new few weeks atleast. Perhaps after that, if Batch isn't put on IR, then you maybe consider maybe putting in some surprise stuff for the playoffs (if we make it).

When you're starter is coming off a concussion and you're only other QB who has any experience with the team is backing him up; seems pretty straight forward to me. Don't put yourself in a situation where you have to use Palko.

When you're starter is coming off a concussion and you're only other QB who has any experience with the team is backing him up; seems pretty straight forward to me. Don't put yourself in a situation where you have to use Palko.

Lets tell the other side we wont run or design a run play for dixon because he will break in half.

so now they can tee off and blitz on him in the pocket like ben gets his hits all day...

getting tee'd off on in the pocket wont get dixon broke in half...???

dixon reads this and has to be feeling like he is some kinda wimp ***.

and they thought ward on ben was a story.. arians has no , he runs a half cocked offense....

the logic of the whole article just tells you why we cant score 24+ points a game.

When you're starter is coming off a concussion and you're only other QB who has any experience with the team is backing him up; seems pretty straight forward to me. Don't put yourself in a situation where you have to use Palko.

Fair enough, but Vick was the whole show in Atlanta that season. We all saw what happened to that team when they had to play without him. Just saying...Dixon's game seems to be better when he's allowed to use his legs...taking that away from him is safer, but it lessens his ability to make a big contribution on the field.

Fair enough, but Vick was the whole show in Atlanta that season. We all saw what happened to that team when they had to play without him. Just saying...Dixon's game seems to be better when he's allowed to use his legs...taking that away from him is safer, but it lessens his ability to make a big contribution on the field.

Entirely two different situations. Nobody is opposed to allowing Dixon to utilize his God given talents when he is called upon to do so. It is an entirely different situation to use him in sub packages to run a wildcat type of offense. You risk getting your ONLY back-up injured before ever even needing him. That would be dumb! Mike Vick was the starter and the offense was geared toward his running style of play. They didn't take him out for any plays to run the back-up in there.

Entirely two different situations. Nobody is opposed to allowing Dixon to utilize his God given talents when he is called upon to do so. It is an entirely different situation to use him in sub packages to run a wildcat type of offense. You risk getting your ONLY back-up injured before ever even needing him. That would be dumb! Mike Vick was the starter and the offense was geared toward his running style of play. They didn't take him out for any plays to run the back-up in there.

You can spin it however you want by saying they are two different circumstances (which we all agree they are). The bottom line is, to not take advantage of a guy's best assets for fear of injury is not a great way to be in the NFL. Teams like the Ravens and Steelers with 6-5 records need to play like there is no tomorrow.

Don't risk Dixon when Ben is in cause we all know we may need him. The way things are going in the league if ben complains once about a headache, even from a hangover they will bench him and claim it is from the concussion. Dixon took that Baltimore game into OT with very few mistakes and he looked good despite the loss. I think Batch is out of a job next year and Dixon will be the #2. Idon't think they would "break him in half" but no need to risk the injury.